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The power of scholarships

Today I’m excited to launch the BGS Annual Appeal. The 2017 appeal is one with a difference – but we’ll get to that. First, I’d like to share the reasoning behind the appeal.

Over the past few years, BGS has established seven means-tested scholarships, giving the gift of opportunity and bringing diversity to the student body. We need only consider the achievements of past scholarship recipients to recognise the value these gifts deliver.

Take Dylan Alcott OAM, who won two gold medals at the Rio Paralympics. Dylan started at BGS on a Mark Comport Scholarship (a means-tested scholarship for a student with a significant physical disability) in Year 6. He quickly developed a love of sport. Since then, he has represented Australia at the Paralympics in basketball and been the world’s number one ranked wheelchair tennis player. Dylan also found time to complete a Bachelor of Commerce at The University of Melbourne. In 2016, he was the Australian Paralympian of the Year and won the Newcombe Medal in the Tennis Australia Awards.

And then there’s Dan Canta, currently in Year 12, who was the first recipient of the John Gray Scholarship – John Gray (OB 1964) left a large bequest to fund scholarships for talented all-round students without means. In 2016, Dan achieved the Triple Crown of open-water swimming by completing the Manhattan Marathon, the Catalina Channel and the English Channel. He is one of only 142 people in the world to have achieved this. Dan is planning to study Commerce/Law after completing Year 12.

Brighton Grammar is pushing through the financial barriers that prevent boys like Dylan and Dan from fulfilling their potential. This year, we are raising money for another means-tested scholarship – an opportunity for an all-rounder who would otherwise be unable to start their journey at BGS to join us.

We are not only transforming another boy’s life, but investing in the next generation. These are the people who will shape our world. To continue this work, we need your help.

This year, we have five generous benefactors who have agreed to quadruple your donation, which means your donation will go four times further. Our aim is to raise $200,000 – but the target must be reached within 24 hours on Wednesday 21 June.